Eskilstuna municipal councilor Jari Puustinen has left the Moderate Party and is forming a new political party called "Ett bättre Eskilstuna" (A Better Eskilstuna). The departure, which occurred on Monday, March 16, 2026, marks a significant political shift in the local landscape.
According to Helena Koch, chairperson of the Moderate Party in Södermanland, Puustinen has officially ended his membership. "He has left the party," Koch confirmed. The Moderate Party's district board in Sörmland announced the departure in a press release on Tuesday and has urged Puustinen to relinquish his political assignments for the party.
He has left the party
Puustinen is reportedly forming the new party together with former Moderate colleague Göran Gredfors, who himself left the party earlier this week after being expelled for his involvement in starting a new political group. The party "Ett bättre Eskilstuna" was registered with the Swedish Election Authority on March 11, 2026.
Koch emphasized the party's position, stating, "If you no longer represent the Moderates, you should leave the Moderate assignments." The development comes amid ongoing political turbulence within the Moderate Party in Eskilstuna, following Gredfors' expulsion earlier in the week.
If you no longer represent the Moderates, you should leave the Moderate assignments
Both Puustinen and Gredfors are expected to run in the upcoming autumn elections under their new party banner, potentially reshaping the political dynamics in Eskilstuna.